Free Audiobook : Big Beacon, by Alan Partridge

Alan Partridge, Norwich’s self-proclaimed broadcasting legend, is back in Big Beacon, a side-splitting audiobook that’s as gloriously awkward as you’d expect. Narrated by the man himself (well, Steve Coogan in character), this memoir follows Alan’s quest to claw his way back to TV stardom after a spectacular fall from grace. With his trademark mix of pompous confidence and accidental hilarity, Alan spins a tale of triumph that only he could believe, making you laugh and cringe in equal measure.

This time, Alan’s got a fancy dual narrative trick up his sleeve, weaving his showbiz comeback with an unexpected side gig: fixing up a rundown lighthouse on the Kent coast. The lighthouse project, which he insists isn’t a metaphor for his own faded glory, brings him face-to-face with suspicious locals and his own inflated ego. Coogan’s pitch-perfect delivery, packed with Alan’s bizarre idioms and self-important asides, makes every moment a comedy gem. You’ll be hooked, wondering how Alan can possibly blunder his way to victory.

Big Beacon is pure Partridge: shallow, narcissistic, and somehow lovable. From laugh-out-loud tangents to moments that are almost touching, this audiobook is a masterclass in cringe comedy. Whether you’ve followed Alan since his Knowing Me, Knowing You days or you’re new to his world, this is a riotous listen that’ll leave you quoting his absurd one-liners for days.